The actual definition of the word Sokudo in Japanese is speed, rate and/or velocity. The iron-tough 7-year-old Thoroughbred Sokudo lived up to his name in the $15,000 Harbor Beach Handicap, as he rated nicely while 1-5 favorite Ballast Point dueled with multiple stakes winner Raging Rhino Run before unleashing nice speed down the stretch to win the 870-yard race by a half-length.
In winning his 14th race in 44 career starts, Sokudo gave owner/trainer Jesus Uranga his second career starts win and first ever at 870 yards.
“I’m thrilled because this was a tough race to win,” Uranga said. “We knew that beating the Paul Jones-trained horse, Ballast Point, was not an easy task. I didn’t think it was impossible to beat him, but (Ballast Point) has posted some excellent times and has run a lot of nice races.”
Sokudo settled into third position right from the start while the stakes winners Ballast Point and Run Raging Rhino Run battled for the lead. Ballast Point would eventually pull away from that challenger, but he couldn’t contain the late velocity from the son of Salute The Sarge.
“This is a nice results for my team and it shows the great work that they do,” Uranga added. “We hope to keep it going. I’ve won one straightaway Quarter Horse stakes race and it’s nice to add my first one with a Thoroughbred runner. I’ve been in this sport for about 17 years as an owner and I’ve been a trainer for about a year and a half now.”
Edgar Payeras, the leading Thoroughbred rider here last year, piloted Sokudo, who covered the distance in :44.584 while earning $8,250. His career earnings now stand at $121,936. The veteran performer has hit the board in 31 career starts.
Jones and Thompson Racing’s Ballast Point, who came into this race after posting the fastest 870-yard clocking here since October 2006, settled for $3,375 in earnings for finishing second. Dan Wilson’s Run Raging Rhino Run earned $1,875 for finishing third. Love Your Life and Jimmy The Juice completed the field.
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